Kisumu city can become one of the best cities in Kenya and Africa if institutions of higher learning within the region can help in planning and repackaging the town.
The city houses universities and colleges which offer courses that are in line with urban planning, budgeting and interior design.
With institutions such as Tom Mboya Labour College, which offers courses related to building and construction and Maseno University which has a well-established School of Planning and Architecture, the professors, doctors, lecturers and students can help the county government in planning and implementation of various important projects such as roads, market space, important building within town, development and construction of recreation facilities and beautification of tourist facilities and destinations such as beaches.
It should be noted that Kisumu has plenty and good tourist attraction sites such as Kit Mikayi, the Impala Sanctuary, Hippo Point and Dunga Beach, not forgetting the great Lake Victoria, which is being suffocated by the stubborn water hyacinth that is yet to be contained.
The main objectives of an institution of higher learning is teaching, research and innovation and I believe Maseno University, Kisumu Polytechnic, Tom Mboya Labour College and other satellite campuses within the city have qualified personnel who can help in upgrading the town in terms of planning in order to reduce congestion as well as improve its aesthetic for both the locals and visitors at large.
The county government should not fear to engage scholars in matters of development as academicians have vast knowledge on town planning, tourism, security, business, budgeting and health and their input can be meaningful to the development of Kisumu County.
Being the focal point for knowledge transfers, the institutions can introduce short courses like certificate and diploma in devolution that can help the county officials learn governance appropriately.
With these courses in the university or colleges, the county government will not use a lot of money solely shouldered by the poor taxpayer touring other countries to learn from them.
The students in these institutions can work as ambassadors of information. They can mobilise their parent’s friends and relatives for public participation on important matters of development whenever such forum occurs.
It is important therefore for the county government of Kisumu and institutions of higher learning to jointly work together to develop grand proposals for projects within the prioritised areas.